Hard-side, built-on, live-in campers are all the rage these days. But are they worth the investment? I was having a conversation with my friend John the other day. Three times a year, he tows a large off-road caravan with a V8-powered Land Cruiser to Namibia, Botswana, or Zimbabwe. I suggested that a hard-side camper such…
We Test the New V2 Bivy Stick Blue
Communication is one of the cornerstones of backcountry travel, as the ability to advise family and friends of our progress, call for assistance, or make an SOS during an emergency all helps provide us with confidence to travel further afield. During my travels in Southern Africa, it was helpful to know that the Bivy was…
Expedition Portal Celebrates 15 Years of Adventure
June 25, 2020 :: Press Release In late June 2005, expeditionportal.com (known as ExPo) went live, serving initially as a community forum, and now as one of the world’s largest online overland resources for the vehicle-based adventure traveler. While the website has grown continually since 2005, growth has accelerated in recent years because of the…
Telecommuting from the Backcountry
For years I’d coveted the idea of working remotely, but like many “normal” folks, the 9-to-5 wouldn’t let me escape the confines of a brick and mortar office. But if there is one certainty of the human species, it’s that we’re incredibly adaptable and always find ways to adjust to changes. Due to the widely…
Webasto and XOverland Team Up for Cold Weather Overlanding Solutions
Webasto has become a household name in the campervan world where their diesel (and gas) forced-air heaters are the gold standard for keeping warm in cold environments. Webasto heaters are versatile and compact, so it’s no surprise that we are seeing them more and more of them in the overlanding world as well as being…
Ford Announces Transit Trail for 2020 in UK
As if we weren’t already excited enough for the electric Ford Transit and AWD Ford Transit, here’s some recent news that’s sure to get your blood pumping. Ford has just announced “Go-anywhere” Tail and Active variants for the 2020 Transit and Tourneo. The bad news? They’ll only be available in the UK (North American residents…
New Sprinter-Compatible Method 901 Dually Wheels
Sprinter owners take note, Method Race Wheels, known for their high-performance products that promise to be “lighter, stronger, faster” has just released the 901 Sprinter dually. This matte- black front and rear wheelset is manufactured from solid A356 aluminum with T6 heat treatment construction. The 901 Sprinter Dually has the iconic 12-window design, a…
Featured Trailer :: To Extreme Rugged N’ Ready
If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails trailer to haul down your favorite off-road route, look no further than To Extreme’s Rugged N’ Ready line. Countless hours of R&D have gone into developing a trailer that To Extreme calls, “perfect for smaller tow vehicles and narrower trails.” To Extreme manufactures their Rugged N’ Ready trailers in…
Featured Campervan :: Mountain View Adventure Vehicles
What happens when a family with decades of world travel, overlanding, and camping experience assembles a design team and starts upfitting Mercedes Sprinters? You get damn nice campervans that have everything necessary for a comfortable off-grid adventure. Mountain View Adventure Vehicles, based in Tucson, Arizona, offers multiple campervan layouts to fit a range of budgets…
Overland Expo Postpones Events Until 2021
Citing the ongoing threat to public health from the coronavirus, Overland Expo has just announced that they will be postponing all 2020 in-person events. “The safety and health of our attendees, exhibitors, and staff are of the utmost importance to us. After months of deliberation, research, and consultation with local officials, we have decided…
Thule Tepui 2020 Rooftop Tents
Swedish travel accessory manufacturer Thule is well known for its luggage, roof racks, cargo boxes, bike carrying systems, and more recently, Tepui rooftop tents. Thule acquired Tepui in late 2018 and has upheld and further developed its line of rooftop tents with offerings that fit every type of vehicle out there, from cars to trucks…
Featured Vehicle :: Brett’s 1992 Toyota Townace A’m Craft Camper
I first crossed paths with action-sports photographer Brett Wilhelm in Driggs, Idaho, back in 2018. I was en route to Victor, Idaho, to run an event, and Brett was making his way south for a photo assignment. We chatted photography over a cup of coffee before going our separate ways. I connected with Brett…
Featured Camper :: Scout Olympic
If you’re looking for a small backcountry camper footprint, then the new Scout Olympic lightweight truck camper might be an ideal solution. This compact, weatherproof shelter has all the basics covered: water, toilet, heat, kitchen, and with its pop-top upper bunk, the Olympic sleeps up to 6 people. Designed for Adventure Scout campers were created…
Van-splaining: Take Your Life on the Road
By Rob Putnam As the sun rises over an Arizona skydive drop zone, Tamale Sepp flings open the doors of her nondescript, under-the-radar white van. She inhales the earthy air mingled with scents of grass crushed by jumpers as she begins her day in the cruiser that she recently made her home. In late December,…
Overland Expo Goes Virtual :: Overland News
Overland News: While the Overland Expo West has been delayed to July, the OVEXPO team has stepped up with a virtual event this Saturday. We look forward to seeing what they produce and the exciting content that comes from their new virtual event. Overland Expo West Goes Virtual Virtual Overland Expo West pays tribute to…
Featured Camper: Boreas XT12 Off-road Trailer by Into The Wild Overland
Featured Camper: Boreas XT12 Scheduled for release this month, the Boreas XT12 from Arvada-based Into The Wild Campers is the newest premium offering in their lineup of off-road capable trailers. This turnkey unit offers enough infrastructure for a family of four to get off the beaten path for weekends or longer. The Boreas XT12…
The Basic Overland Gear Everyone Should Have
The Overland Journal Podcast #20 Principles of Overlanding: The Basic Overland Gear Everyone Should Have Summary: For this Principles of Overlanding, Matt and Scott review the top 10 pieces of kit that help support local and international overland travel. Topics include navigation, communications, recovery equipment, medical kits, training, tools, and more. This list is all…
Featured Camper :: Taxa Cricket Trailer
Featured Camper :: Taxa Cricket Trailer The Taxa Cricket overland trailer fits into Taxa’s lineup as a mid-sized offering at 15 feet long. Taxa’s “mobile human habitats built for adventuring” all share the familiar pop-top design, offering a compact travel platform that can accommodate anywhere from two to four+ people. Travel Trailers Should Get You…
Featured Camper :: The Living Vehicle
In the plainest of terms, the Living Vehicle is a luxury camper. But I wouldn’t be doing this towable tiny home justice with such a simple explanation. An extremely robust electrical system and elegant design choices make this travel trailer one of the most unique off-grid living solutions I’ve seen. The Living Vehicle Replaces Your…
Is the Eezi-Awn Cube the Ultimate Shower Enclosure?
I was recently in South Africa, overlanding through Mapungubwe in the north, which is settled along the border of Botswana and Zimbabwe. The Limpopo River flows through there, and the region is packed with mega-fauna. The goal of the trip was to test the new Hilux and also evaluate the cadre of new equipment from…